Netbook, gps or cell phone?

Author Message   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1505 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 78.29.144.8 Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 - 04:18 pm:    I carry all three and really don't know how to use any of them, but I still haul them around. I keep looking for the optimum so I appreciate these websites that I can study and learn something.   Leland Senior Member Username: Leland Post Number: 6175 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 98.218.147.237 Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 - 01:39 pm:    PC Word magazine just released a comparison article on the various platforms for GPS navigation (dedicated unit, smart phone, et). <http://www.pcworld.com/article/195002/gps_options_many_ways_to_find_your_way.htm l?tk=nl_dgx_h_cbintro>   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 4372 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 88.53.117.5 Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 - 04:14 am:    Wes, Since you're a cheapskate you may want to be careful with your I=phone in Europe! http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/01/the-roaming-org.html   Wes Loukota Intermediate Member Username: Woodturner Post Number: 62 Registered: 07-2007 Posted From: 75.254.236.205 Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 09:37 pm:    There was one question I forgot to ask the Verizon rep I talked to today, and would apply to the Iphone: While using the gps on a phone or a netbook are you using data time? If so, how much would? Would a limited data plan cover the usage for two or three weeks in Europe? I'm a cheap s.o.b. and don't like to spend my hard earned retirement when there is a better way. My previous life must have been during the depression.   John David Brooks Advanced Member Username: Johnb6597 Post Number: 373 Registered: 04-2008 Posted From: 121.55.235.75 Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 09:51 pm:    Phil, I never meant to suggest the absence of GPS "function"...numerous cell phones out there now that can double as GPS devices without needing to buy and carry a separate device just for that exclusive use. Netbook and a GPS-capable cell phone are all you need.   Phil Doubleman Senior Member Username: Phil Post Number: 1571 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.35.26.65 Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 09:09 pm:    Beg to differ John David. I feel that a GPS is invaluable. I have used one many times in France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, and England and found that I am more comfortable navigating unfamiliar territory and have never gotten lost.   shannon whitaker Member Username: Gypsy99 Post Number: 13 Registered: 03-2010 Posted From: 70.67.171.200 Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 08:47 pm:    I use my iphone with all three and am very impressed. So far it has only been in the States and Canada but in May I will be testing it in Japan. I have the Skype application installed and paid for the unlimited long distance minutes so I can talk free as long as I am on wifi. I have google maps installed and have seen the TomTom GPS app offered. I was very against getting an iphone (I ONLY wanted a cell phone to make calls on!) but the iphone was on sale so we tried it, now I would miss it greatly if I had to give it up. I know a few people who got the new ipad but my thoughts were to wait until 1 or 2 models down the line are released so they can improve and work out any bugs.   neal floyd Advanced Member Username: Nfloyd Post Number: 232 Registered: 09-2007 Posted From: 67.233.135.84 Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 08:35 pm:    Netbook with Skype and a GPS are my choice. Fun to call back at night when we are tired on Skype either free or $.02 depending on the plan.   John David Brooks Advanced Member Username: Johnb6597 Post Number: 372 Registered: 04-2008 Posted From: 121.55.235.75 Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 08:16 pm:    Netbook and unlocked cell phone are all you need. GPS is a waste of money, space, and travel weight.   John R Garrison Senior Member Username: Majorg Post Number: 2556 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 208.81.157.86 Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 05:22 pm:    Wes: Personal choice. I prefer to travel as light as possible. So I travel with and would recommend a netbook and a cell phone. Either equiped with a GPS would be a bonus. Have traveled with just a Smartphone in the past but found that too hard for these old eyes and fingers to manage. Happy travels, John   Rowland Priddy New member Username: Rowland12 Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2008 Posted From: 75.227.194.110 Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 05:19 pm:    I have an iPad and really like it. Smaller than a net book, cost a little more. It connects to wifi, don't know about Skype. Also, can get a GPS for it. You might want tochrck it out. Price is $500.   Wes Loukota Intermediate Member Username: Woodturner Post Number: 56 Registered: 07-2007 Posted From: 75.235.87.31 Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 04:58 pm:    Having returned from two weeks in Italy and spent five days each way in transit(2 days driving to/from Knoxville) I am considering taking a netbook, gps and/or cell phone on the next trip in two years. We stay with relatives in Italy and have flown into Spain and Germany. May also have side trips to France and Austria. Rented a car from Hertz on base and got the gps for our two day wait. Yes, I am retired. I guess it's just the luck of the draw if you can do that or use the main BX. I've read the threads about all three types of devices and was wondering if anyone has combined all three into one unit. Some of the netbooks available through AT&T and Verizon have global access and come with Skype. There is probably a gps app for the netbooks and I would think you could install Google Earth as well. The iphone, and others probably have a gps app, but the cost seems to be more than I really want to spend. I used my Palm T/X with wifi but, it is not as easy to read/write as a netbook would be. Plus, I had trouble connecting to some wifi. Had to find an Internet cafe in Italy to get my train tickets. I found a refurbished Garmin 275T on ebay for $140. Unlocked gsm phones are also available on ebay for $20-$40. The sim cards run about $20 in Italy and Germany, but I don't know if there are any that cover several countries. So, is it worth the expense to have one unit that you can use for everything and is compact, or would it be better to have two or three devices to do everything? Any thoughts/ideas would be greatly appreciated.